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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. AXTEN. CAN OPENER.

No. 339,515. Patented Apr. 6, 1886.

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R. AXTEN.

CAN OPENER. No. 339,515. Patented Apr. 6, 1886.

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YATES NITED ROBERT AXTEN, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

CAN-OPENER.

SFECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 339,515, dated April 6,1886.

Application filed December 11, 1885. Serial No. 185,375.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that 1, ROBERT AXTEN, a subject of the Queen of England, residing at London, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tin-peners, of which the following is a specification.

' up and down the posts, and may be fixed in any required position by a thumb -screw, D, or other suitable means,accordi ng to the height of the tin to be opened.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the knife box 0 and knife are horizontal, so that a cylindrical tin standing on end upon the table A would have its top out off, the out being made in the cylindrical shell, and not in the fiat top.

In Figs. 3 the knife-box and knife are vertical, so that the cut would be in the top and not in the cylindrical part. this method being preferable where the can contains liquids,

some of which would be lost if the out were made in the side.

It will be observed that in Fig. 3 the knife box has slots 13 at right angles to those which are in use, so that the box can be lifted oif the posts and put on again in a horizontal position, like those in Figs. 1 and 2.

The action of the knife will be understood by reference to Fig. 1.

The knife E is pivoted at E in the knifebOX C, and has at its back end ajaw, F, with which engages the short lever G, which carries the handle H, by which it is worked. Lever G is pivoted at G in the knife-box O, and it will be readily understood that as it is worked about the pivot by the handle H being worked backward and forward a similar movement, but in the opposite direction, is imparted to the knife B. By this arrange- (No model.)

ment the handle H and knife E move in the same direction, so that a person standing at the right-hand side in Fig. 1 would make the cut by pulling the handle toward him, which is a more convenient arrangement than if E and H were in one and centered at E, as then the motion would be reversed.

Instead of the jaw F and tooth G, a pair of toothed segments gearing together may be used.

I is a pricker, against which the can is pressed so as to make a hole to facilitate the insertion of the knife and save the knife-point.

In use the can is pricked and placed upon the table A, the knife inserted and the can pressed against the teeth or rough edge 0 of the knife -box, which assists in holding it against the cutting-edge. The can is turned around as required until the cutting is finished. The rough edge of the cut is turned outward, which greatly facilitates the turning out of the contents.

The knife-box O is also preferably made of metal.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. In a device for opening tins, a pair of rigid uprights. a plate or knife box moving thereon, a knife pivoted to said knife-box, and a lever for operating the knife, the parts being combined as set forth.

2. The combination, in a tin-opener, of a pair of rigid uprights, a plate or knife-box having two pairs of slots or perforations at right angles to each other adapted to engage said uprights, and a knife pivoted to said knifebox and provided with a suitable opcrating-lever, whereby the knife may be operated either vertically or horizontally, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand in the presence of the two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT AXTEN.

lVitnesses:

ALFRED J. BoUL'r, HAROLD WADE. 

